Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Costa Rica Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Tamarindo's property market is included in our pack
This blog post covers current rental prices in Tamarindo as of the first half of 2026, with detailed breakdowns by property type, neighborhood, and tenant profile.
We constantly update this article to reflect the latest market conditions, so you always get fresh data when making rental decisions.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Tamarindo.
Insights
- Most Tamarindo landlords list rents in USD rather than colones, reflecting the town's heavy expat and digital nomad demand.
- A typical studio in Tamarindo rents for around $1,050 per month in January 2026, roughly 2 to 3 times higher than similar units in San Jose.
- Vacancy rates in Tamarindo swing dramatically by season, dropping to 3% to 5% during high season and rising to 7% to 10% in the green season.
- Furnished rentals dominate Tamarindo because most tenants arrive by plane, making unfurnished units harder to fill.
- The rent per square meter in Tamarindo averages $22, but smaller units near the beach often hit $30 while larger inland homes sit closer to $18.
- Tamarindo rents grew about 4% year-over-year in USD terms, even though Costa Rica's national inflation was near zero.
- Air conditioning is the single biggest rent booster in Tamarindo because coastal heat makes it essential for remote workers.
- Well-priced 1-bedroom apartments in Tamarindo rent in about 14 to 25 days, while overpriced units can sit for 45 to 75 days.
What are typical rents in Tamarindo as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Tamarindo is around $1,050 USD (₡535,000 colones or €975 euros).
The realistic range for most studios runs from $850 to $1,300 USD per month (₡435,000 to ₡665,000 colones, or €790 to €1,200 euros).
The main factors pushing studio rents higher or lower in Tamarindo are beach walkability, whether the unit comes furnished with air conditioning, and whether it's in a newer condo versus an older building.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tamarindo is around $1,450 USD (₡740,000 colones or €1,350 euros).
The realistic range falls between $1,100 and $1,900 USD per month (₡560,000 to ₡970,000 colones, or €1,020 to €1,765 euros).
For 1-bedroom rents in Tamarindo, Villareal and inland pockets offer the cheapest options, while Playa Langosta and beachfront Centro de Tamarindo command the highest prices.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Tamarindo is around $2,300 USD (₡1,175,000 colones or €2,140 euros).
The realistic range spans from $1,700 to $3,200 USD per month (₡870,000 to ₡1,635,000 colones, or €1,580 to €2,975 euros).
For 2-bedroom rentals, the cheapest options are in Villareal and quieter inland zones, while the most expensive are in Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Langosta, and premium beachfront condos in Centro de Tamarindo.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Tamarindo.
What's the average rent per square meter in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average rent per square meter in Tamarindo is around $22 USD (₡11,200 colones or €20 euros per month).
The realistic range runs from $18 to $30 USD (₡9,200 to ₡15,300 colones, or €17 to €28 euros), with significant variation across neighborhoods.
Compared to other Costa Rican cities, Tamarindo's rent per square meter is notably higher than San Jose or Heredia, closer to premium beach destinations like Manuel Antonio or Jaco.
Properties pushing rent per square meter above average typically include newer condo units with pool access, walk-to-beach locations, reliable air conditioning, and high-speed internet.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Tamarindo in 2026?
As of early 2026, rents in Tamarindo have increased by approximately 4% year-over-year in USD terms, notably higher than the national trend.
The main factors driving rent changes this year include sustained demand from remote workers, limited long-term inventory as owners prefer short-term rentals, and continued lifestyle migration to the Guanacaste coast.
This year's rent increase is similar to last year's pace, even though Costa Rica's national inflation dropped to near zero, showing how Tamarindo operates as its own disconnected micro-market.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Tamarindo in 2026?
As of early 2026, projected rent growth for Tamarindo is expected between 3% and 6% in USD terms, with a base case around 4% to 5%.
Key factors likely to influence rent growth include continued remote work migration, Liberia airport's accessibility for North American travelers, and whether more owners shift units to long-term rentals.
Neighborhoods expected to see strongest rent growth include Playa Langosta and Centro de Tamarindo, where inventory remains tightest and expat demand is most concentrated.
Main risks that could alter projections include cooling foreign demand if the global economy weakens, more vacation rentals converting to long-term leases, or a broader tourism slowdown.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Costa Rica. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Tamarindo as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three neighborhoods with highest average rents in Tamarindo are Playa Langosta, Hacienda Pinilla, and Centro de Tamarindo's beachfront zone, where 2-bedrooms often exceed $2,500 to $3,200 USD (₡1,275,000 to ₡1,635,000 colones, or €2,325 to €2,975 euros).
These neighborhoods command premiums because they offer direct beach access, gated security, newer construction, and lifestyle appeal for high-earning remote workers.
Typical tenants in these high-rent neighborhoods include established remote professionals, seasonal "snowbirds," and families seeking upscale beach living.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Tamarindo.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Tamarindo right now?
The three neighborhoods where young professionals prefer to rent in Tamarindo are Centro de Tamarindo near the main beach corridor, Villareal for affordable options, and areas close to coworking spaces along the main strip.
Young professionals typically pay between $1,100 and $1,600 USD per month (₡560,000 to ₡815,000 colones, or €1,020 to €1,485 euros) for a well-located 1-bedroom.
Features attracting young professionals include walkability to cafes and surf spots, fast reliable internet, a social scene with other digital nomads, and the option to live car-free with a scooter.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Tamarindo.
Where do families prefer to rent in Tamarindo right now?
The three neighborhoods where families prefer to rent are Villareal for its quieter residential feel, Hacienda Pinilla for gated amenities, and the Brasilito-Potrero-Flamingo corridor for larger homes.
Families renting 2-3 bedroom apartments typically pay between $1,800 and $2,800 USD per month (₡920,000 to ₡1,430,000 colones, or €1,675 to €2,600 euros).
Features making these neighborhoods attractive include quieter streets away from nightlife, secure parking, larger living spaces, school proximity, and pool access for children.
Notable educational options include La Paz Community School near Playa Grande, CRIA (Costa Rica International Academy) in broader Guanacaste, and several Montessori-style programs nearby.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Tamarindo in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three areas near transit hubs that rent fastest are properties along Route 21 toward Santa Cruz and Liberia, units near the Liberia airport commute route, and central Tamarindo rentals with easy regional access.
Properties in these high-demand areas typically stay listed for just 14 to 21 days, compared to the town-wide average of 28 days.
The typical rent premium for convenient transit access in Tamarindo is around $100 to $200 USD per month (₡51,000 to ₡102,000 colones, or €93 to €186 euros).
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Tamarindo right now?
The three neighborhoods most popular with expats are Playa Langosta for its quieter beach vibe, Centro de Tamarindo for walkable convenience, and Playa Grande for its laid-back surf community atmosphere.
Expats in these neighborhoods typically pay between $1,300 and $2,400 USD per month (₡665,000 to ₡1,225,000 colones, or €1,210 to €2,230 euros).
Features attracting expats include English-speaking services, established expat communities, reliable internet, proximity to international restaurants, and a sense of safety.
The nationalities most represented include Americans, Canadians, and Europeans (particularly Germans, Dutch, and British), many of whom are remote workers, retirees, or running tourism businesses.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Tamarindo.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Tamarindo right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Tamarindo?
The three tenant profiles dominating Tamarindo's rental market are remote workers and digital nomads on 3-to-12-month stays, seasonal residents escaping northern winters, and hospitality workers in tourism.
Remote workers make up roughly 40% of long-term tenants, seasonal residents about 35%, and hospitality workers plus long-stay families the remaining 25%.
Remote workers seek furnished 1-bedrooms with fast internet, seasonal residents prefer larger 2-bedrooms, and hospitality workers look for affordable shared housing or inland Villareal options.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Tamarindo.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Tamarindo?
In Tamarindo, approximately 80% of long-term tenants prefer furnished rentals, while only 20% seek unfurnished units.
The typical rent premium for furnished apartments is around $150 to $300 USD per month (₡77,000 to ₡153,000 colones, or €140 to €280 euros).
Tenant profiles preferring furnished rentals include digital nomads arriving by plane, seasonal residents avoiding furniture purchases, and expats testing the area before committing.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Tamarindo?
The five amenities increasing rent most in Tamarindo are reliable air conditioning, fast stable internet, secure parking with gated entry, pool access, and walk-to-beach location.
In rent premiums, air conditioning adds $100 to $150 USD monthly, high-speed internet adds $50 to $100, secure parking adds $75 to $125, pool access adds $100 to $200, and walk-to-beach adds $200 to $400 monthly.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Tamarindo, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Tamarindo?
The five renovations with best ROI for Tamarindo rentals are A/C and insulation upgrades, internet infrastructure improvements, durable coastal-resistant finishes, in-unit washer-dryer, and kitchen refresh.
For costs and returns: A/C runs $1,500 to $3,000 and boosts rent $100 to $150 monthly; internet upgrades cost $200 to $500 and add $50 to $100; coastal finishes cost $2,000 to $5,000; washer-dryer costs $800 to $1,500 and adds $50 to $100; kitchen refresh at $3,000 to $8,000 adds $75 to $150 monthly.
Renovations with poor ROI to avoid include luxury pool installations, high-end imported finishes that cannot withstand coastal humidity, and over-the-top cosmetic upgrades tenants do not prioritize.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Costa Rica versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Tamarindo as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the estimated vacancy rate for long-term rentals in Tamarindo is around 6%, reflecting the high-season period when demand is strongest.
The realistic range runs from 3% to 5% in high-demand areas like Langosta and Centro during peak season, up to 7% to 10% in quieter inland areas or during green season.
Compared to historical averages, the current vacancy rate is slightly below normal for January, suggesting solid demand and tight long-term inventory.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Tamarindo.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, rentals in Tamarindo stay listed around 28 days on average, though well-priced properties move much faster.
The realistic range runs from 14 to 25 days for well-priced 1-bedrooms in good locations, up to 45 to 75 days for overpriced premium units.
Compared to one year ago, current days-on-market is roughly similar, indicating a stabilized market.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Tamarindo?
Peak months for tenant demand in Tamarindo are November through April, aligning with dry season and high tourism season, with a smaller bump in July and August.
Factors driving seasonal demand include North American and European visitors escaping winter, remote workers seeking warm destinations, and overall tourism surge.
Months with lowest tenant demand are typically May, June, September, and October, when rainy "green season" reduces tourism traffic.
Buying real estate in Tamarindo can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What will my monthly costs be in Tamarindo as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical annual property tax in Tamarindo is around 0.25% of registered value, roughly $1,250 USD per year (₡640,000 colones or €1,160 euros) for a $500,000 property.
The realistic range runs from $500 to $625 USD annually for a $200,000 property, up to $2,500 USD for $1 million properties, with higher-value homes potentially subject to the "luxury home" solidarity tax.
Property taxes are calculated by Santa Cruz municipality based on declared fiscal value, with the rate set by Ley 7509 at 0.25%.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Tamarindo, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Tamarindo right now?
In Tamarindo, utilities landlords most commonly pay are water and internet for furnished mid-term leases, while electricity is almost always the tenant's responsibility due to variable A/C usage.
Typical monthly costs are $15 to $60 USD for water (₡7,700 to ₡30,600 colones) and $40 to $90 USD for internet (₡20,400 to ₡46,000 colones), with electricity running $80 to $250 USD when tenants pay directly.
Common practice is for landlords to bundle water and internet for furnished rentals targeting expats and nomads, while unfurnished leases have tenants take over all utility accounts.
How is rental income taxed in Tamarindo as of 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income in Costa Rica is typically taxed at 15% when treated as "renta de capital inmobiliario," the category most individual landlords fall into.
Main deductions landlords can claim include maintenance costs, property management fees, municipal taxes, insurance, and depreciation.
A common Tamarindo-specific mistake is forgetting the VAT threshold: residential rentals are exempt only if monthly rent is 1.5 times the "salario base" or less (₡693,300 or about $1,360 USD for 2026), and many Tamarindo rents exceed this.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Tamarindo.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Costa Rica compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Tamarindo, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) | Costa Rica's official tourism authority publishing national tourism statistics. | We used it to ground Tamarindo's demand cycle in real visitor flows through Guanacaste's airport. We used it to justify why high-season months translate into tighter rental supply. |
| National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) | The official national statistics agency for Costa Rica. | We used it to anchor the national inflation backdrop for January 2026. We used it to keep Tamarindo estimates consistent with the broader price environment. |
| Ministry of Housing (MIVAH) | The government body publishing the official rent adjustment index for housing leases. | We used it to explain how annual rent increases work legally in Costa Rica. We contrasted it with Tamarindo's market reality. |
| Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) - Exchange Rates | The central bank's official exchange rate time series. | We used it to normalize rents advertised in USD versus colones. Tamarindo is USD-heavy, but landlords pay many costs in colones. |
| Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) - 2026 Macro Outlook | The central bank's official macro forecast communication. | We used it to set a realistic baseline for 2026 growth and inflation. We used it to frame rent-growth outlook scenarios. |
| Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) - VAT on Rentals | Official tax guidance from Costa Rica's Ministry of Finance. | We used it to explain when VAT applies to residential rents. We used it to help landlords estimate true monthly costs. |
| Ministry of Finance (Hacienda) - Capital Income Tax Rates | Hacienda's published table of capital income tax rates. | We used it to pin down the standard tax rate for rental income. We used it for concrete, checkable numbers. |
| Judiciary (Poder Judicial) | The official institution setting the salario base for legal thresholds. | We used it to convert the VAT exemption rule into actual 2026 colones. Landlords need the current threshold, not outdated figures. |
| Legislative Assembly - Property Tax Law (Ley 7509) | The official law governing Costa Rica's municipal property tax. | We used it to ground property tax in primary law. We justified the standard rate structure for landlord cost estimates. |
| Municipality of Santa Cruz | The local government for the canton including Tamarindo. | We used it to make the property tax section practical. Tamarindo landlords deal with Santa Cruz municipality directly. |
| Costa Rica Electricity Institute (ICE) | The core national electricity provider publishing tariff schedules. | We used it for realistic utility-cost expectations since electricity is the swing factor with A/C. We provided Tamarindo-specific bill ranges. |
| ARESEP | Costa Rica's official public-utility regulator. | We used it to anchor water costs to the regulator framework. Water is usually smaller than electricity in monthly costs. |
| Encuentra24 - Tamarindo Listings | One of Costa Rica's largest real-estate listing platforms with extensive inventory. | We used it to build a January 2026 snapshot of asking rents by property type. We cross-checked with local sub-areas and filtered for long-term residential. |
| Area de Conservacion Guanacaste (ACG) | Publishes official high-season announcements for Guanacaste. | We used it to confirm peak tourist season timing. We aligned seasonal demand analysis with official regional patterns. |
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